Ultimate Guide to Office Desk Rug | Tips and Tricks

A desk rug is a great addition to your office, as it can protect the carpet from an office chair. However, with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for your needs. Therefore, in this guide, we’ll help you choose the best desk mat for you and give you some tips on how to keep it looking its best. 

What Is the Standard Rug Size for an Office?

There’s no general answer to what the standard rug size is for office chair mats for a carpet floor. It will depend on the size of the office and the purpose of the under-desk rug. Therefore, make sure to measure the size of your office first before buying a rug. If you want to find the ideal rug size, these are the general rules you can follow: 

For a Desk Area

If you simply want to cover an area for your desk, it’s best to go for a 4x6 or 5x8 rug. A rug of this size would perfectly accentuate your desk or smart desk. If it’s too small or too large, it might throw off the balance of the room. 

For a Larger Office or Desk Size

If you have a relatively large office or a corner standing desk, a 6x9 and 8x10 rug would fit perfectly. To complement the office desk dimensions, remember to make sure that the rug is at least 18” to 24” larger than the size of the desk. This will help create a cohesive look and feel for the space. 

For a Private Office

If you want to cover the entire room and not just the desk or standing desk area, find a rug that suits the size of your room. However, it’s important that the rug area is one to two feet shorter than the shortest wall in the room. 

These rules might not apply if you purely want to use your rug for a decorative purpose. In that case, you are free to choose a rug that matches your personal style. You can find anything that complements the aesthetic of your room without worrying about the ideal size. 

However, it’s still important to choose a rug that fills your space but isn’t too large that it makes the room feel overwhelming. You don't want a rug that feels cluttered. On the other hand, you also don't want an under-desk rug that gets lost in the background. 

How to Choose the Material, Color, and Pattern for an Office Rug?

Having a personal style is great. Showcasing your office chair rug can be one of the best ways to express your style. Whether you prefer a bold pattern with vibrant colors or a subtler pattern with soft colors, there’s no problem as long as you’re comfortable with it. 

However, other than personal preferences, the intended use of the rug and the room layout are also important factors to consider before buying a rug for the under desk. Therefore, make sure to pay attention to these things to create a balanced feel in the room: 

Materials

There are so many rug materials to choose from. Each one has its own advantages and drawbacks. 

A wool under-desk rug, for example, is durable and easy to clean. It would be ideal for a household with pets or children with a high activity level. Other examples of durable materials are synthetic blends and seagrass. A glass chair mat can also be a nice addition.

The way the rug is constructed can also determine its ability to last long. Hand-loomed and machine-made under-desk rugs, for instance, are created using simpler techniques compared to hand-knotted rugs. As a result, they are unlikely to last in locations where people would routinely walk and sit on them. 

On the other hand, hand-knotted under-desk rugs are among the most durable types of rugs available, especially if it’s made from wool or any other strong materials. These rugs are meticulously handcrafted, and the procedure can take months or even years to finish. The end result is a rug that is extremely durable and can withstand heavy use.

Colors

Choosing an under-desk rug color that complements the existing decor will enhance the look of your office and create a cohesive environment. To determine the right color for your rug, first, take a look at the office’s color scheme. Then try to match the secondary color of the rug to a large piece of furniture such as a sofa. 

If your sofa is rich chocolate brown, for example, you can select a desk floor mat with a design that includes brown as a secondary color. It's also a good idea to coordinate the rug's third color with other decorations or smaller objects in the room, such as pillows, curtains, or artwork. 

In case your primary furniture is already patterned or has an intricate design, a solid-colored would be an ideal choice. Remember to make sure the solid-colored rug compliments your sofa and fits the other accents in the room. 

If your sofa has a bright and vivid main color, you can choose a solid-colored rug in a deeper color, such as navy blue or dark green. This way, you will create a unified color scheme and ensure that the various parts of the area function aesthetically together.

Patterns

As has been mentioned before, if your primary furniture is patterned, it would be a good idea to have a rug in a solid color. However, what if the furniture is solid-colored? 

In that case, a patterned rug would complement your space really well. When choosing what kind of pattern your rug for the under desk will have, also consider the level of activity inside your house. Dark colors and busy patterns can hide dirt or stains, so it’s suitable to use in high-activity areas.

Round or Square: Which One to Choose?

Square-shaped rugs are the most popular among all rug shapes, and this is for a good reason. They can create a defined space within a big open area, such as an office, living room, and sitting area. Placing a rectangular rug or desk floor mat beneath your furniture will help establish a sense of order in the room. 

Rectangular rugs are very versatile. They go well with a wide range of styles. Because of that, you don’t have to worry about matching it with your interior design.

To use a rectangular rug, you can simply put it under your desk or home standing desk, and it will look great. It may especially be a good idea to place it in an area with high traffic. The most important thing is to ensure you get the proper size to prevent the office from looking unbalanced. 

Round-shaped rugs or desk floor mat, on the other hand, have its own unique appeal. Its shape may provide visual interest and depth to a room. Furthermore, you can use them to tone down sharp edges in the office to create a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. 

Designers love to use a round rug in a small room to make it appear more spacious. Its visual appeal can lead you to focus on them, distracting you from the room’s lack of space. In addition, it can help you make a bold statement by accentuating and complementing the design of your office. 

A round-shaped rug is best for areas where you want to show them off, such as the entryway of your office or under the chandelier. It’s also suitable for low-traffic areas. 

Rug shapes are not limited to rectangles and rounds. You can experiment with many more shapes of rugs, including abstract ones, that will emphasize the personal style of your room and make it visually appealing. 

There’s no particular rule regarding how to choose whether you should buy a rug with a certain shape. The most important thing is how you arrange it to bring everything together.

How to Clean Your Desk Rug?

Before cleaning your desk rug, it’s important to pay attention to its materials. Different materials might require different cleaning methods. If your rug is on the fragile side, for example, you shouldn’t use an abrasive cleaner. These are some cleaning methods you can use to clean your desk rug: 

Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuuming your desk rug is one of the easiest ways and a basic step to remove dust, dirt, and grime buildup. It’s recommended to do it regularly, at least twice a week. Even though your rug may not look dirty, it might still hold pollutants deep into its fibers, so don’t wait until it’s dusty to vacuum it. 

This method works great with most (if not all) rug materials. Just make sure to have a suction power between 270-350 AW.

Broom

Sweeping your rug with a carpet broom is also a harmless method to clean your rug. It takes a little more effort than using a vacuum cleaner, but it still can be equally effective if you do it right. 

Rubber or bristle carpet brooms are very powerful in removing dirt, dust, and other debris from deep inside the rug fibers. They are particularly good at removing pollutants that have been embedded in the fibers, which a regular vacuum cleaner might not even be able to clean. 

Water and Dish Soap Solution

Vacuuming or brushing your rug alone is not enough to maintain its cleanliness and keep your desk rug stain-free in the long run. If you find a stain on your rug, you can remove it with a water and cleaner solution. Mild dish soap is ideal for this because it cleans gently without harming the rug. 

To clean a rug using dish soap, first, vacuum it thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris. In a container, combine a tiny amount of dish soap and water. Apply the solution to the stain gently with a soft-bristled brush or a sponge. 

Be careful not to brush it too hard or for too long. Then rinse it with clean water. After that, air dry the rug. Allow it to be completely dry before placing the rug in your office again.

Baking Soda

To use baking soda as a cleaning agent, either sprinkle it dry onto the surface you want to clean or combine it with water to make a paste. Apply the paste to the surface or stain and wait a few minutes before wiping it away with a moist towel. 

Be careful, as baking soda is pretty abrasive. You might want to avoid applying it on delicate materials.

Dry Clean

Once in a while, you should deep-clean your rug, and one of the safest ways is to dry clean it. First, check the label. It should tell you whether you can dry clean it or not. 

Technically, you can do dry cleaning at home. However, it’s always better to take your desk rug to a professional cleaner. They know exactly how to handle your rug without damaging it. 

Washing Machine

If the rug is small enough to be put inside the washing machine, then you can use it to clean the rug. However, you must check the care label first before doing this. Never clean a rug labeled “dry-clean only” using a washing machine. Usually, this method works for colorfast materials such as acrylic but not for wool and silk. 

Tips to Keep Your Office Carpets and Desk Rugs Clean

Here are a few tips to maintain the cleanliness of your rugs: 

Clean Air Filter Regularly

An air filter helps trap dust and dirt in the room. However, once it gets dirty, it won’t work effectively. Instead of getting trapped, the dust, dirt, allergens, and pollutants could fall into the rug and make it dirty. Therefore, make sure to clean your air filter regularly. 

Avoid Eating and Drinking over the Rug

Food and beverage spills on rugs can be difficult to clean. They can also produce unpleasant smells that might attract pests such as ants and mice. 

If You Spill Something on the Rug, Clean It Immediately

Sometimes, spilling happens by accident that can’t be prevented. In that case, always act quickly. It’s important to wipe it as soon as possible to minimize stains. The longer a spill stays on a mat, the more difficult it is to clean, and it might result in permanent stains and damage.

The Bottom Line

By considering its size, color, pattern, and material, you can pick a rug that not only compliments your workplace but also provides comfort and convenience. Whether you want to buy a desk mat for a hardwood floor or carpet, remember to clean and maintain your rug regularly to make it last longer.